Team Greens cyclist Jason Vella negotiating his way through the rough terrain during the national championship race.

The Malta Mountain Bike Association national championship race was held recently in Miżieb.

With the country’s top-category cyclists on the starting line, the race promised to be a close affair and so it was.

The single tracks along the olive orchards and the technical circuit, typical of the area, made the battle for top positions very interesting.

Jason Vella (Team Greens) was quick to take an early advantage with Mark Bonnici (Agones Pedal Power), Etienne Bonello (Team Greens) and Maurice Formosa (The Cyclist) in hot pursuit.

Formosa dropped out of the leading pack as the early pacesetters continued to build on their lead. On lap two, Vella crashed and Bonello broke his chain, putting Bonnici in the lead.

Yet, Vella recovered poise without losing precious time and caught Vella in the straight for home.

Vella produced a final surge in the last uphill, leaving Bonnici in his wake as Formosa had to settle for third place.

Stephania Magri won the women’s championship race in Miżieb and her Agones Pedal Power team-mate, Liran Ben-Ari, was the first rider home in the Sport category.